Our experts check out the teams for NRL round 1 and offer their tips

THE footy’s back and that means you need to get your Round 1 NRL tips in. Our experts have got you covered with that tricky first round.

The NRL’s Provan Summons Trophy. Picture: Getty Images

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THE footy’s back and that means you need to get your first-round NRL tips in. With round one the hardest to pick our experts have got you covered.

Follow Robert Craddock, Peter Badel, Travis Meyn, Rikki-Lee Arnold, Mike Colman, Paul Malone and Luke Turgeon throughout the season for advice and tips.

Have they got it right for round one or are some of them way off the mark?

And here’s your first tip: Robert Craddock has topped the Courier-Mail tipsters two years on the trot.

ROUND 1 FIXTURES: Sharks v Broncos, Bulldogs v Storm, Rabbitohs v Tigers, Dragons v Panthers, Cowboys v Raiders, Titans v Roosters, Warriors v Knights, Sea Eagles v Eels.

   Robert Craddock's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer:Penrith. Worried they might crack under pressure but they could crack worse than Humpty Dumpty and still beat the Dragons.

Upset:Souths could easily go belly up against the Tigers.

Coin toss:Bulldogs-Melbourne. The Storm should get there but the Bulldogs coyuld surprise everyone this season despite the widespread feeling the Dogs have lost their bite.

   Rikki-Lee Arnold's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer: If the Warriors want to be serious top eight contenders this year, they have to start their year off with a win. They've been given the perfect platform for it _ a home match against Newcastle.

Upset: I haven't tipped an upset this week, but I do think it could come through the Titans.

Coin toss: The Broncos v Sharks season-opener could really go either way.

   Peter Badel's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer: The Warriors to hammer the hapless Knights in Auckland to ensure Steve Kearney launches his coaching career at the club in style.

Upset: The Sharks may be defending premiers but they will feel the heat from day one. The Broncos to get them in the Shire.

Coin toss: The Rabbitohs-Tigers showdown at ANZ. Robbie Farah could prove a sensation for the Bunnies or an ageing flop.

   Mike Colman's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer: Penrith. One of the best sides in the comp over the Dragons who are one of the worst.

Upset: Big things expected of the Cows but I'm expecting bigger things from the Raiders.

Coin toss: First round every game is a toss of the coin but Sharks- Broncos will be tight as.

   Travis Meyn's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer: Warriors. If they can't win this game they should be kicked out of the NRL.

Upset: Manly and Parramatta could go either way. It will be a few weeks before we know how either team is looking.

Coin toss: The Broncos have the ingredients to spring a surprise on the Sharks who are without a quality fullback and hooker.

   Paul Malone's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer: Warriors should easily account for Knights.

Upset: Dragons over the Panthers. Just.

Coin toss: Sea Eagles v Eels will be close.

   Luke Turgeon's top tips:

   Score so far: 0 

No brainer:Warriors to lap the Knights in Auckland.

Upset: Titans to topple the Roosters.

Coin toss: Manly v Parra is too close to call.